Shehbaz Sharif Saudi Arabia Visit: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Saudi Arabia, pushes defence ties amid West Asia escalation
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday for a three-day official visit, accompanied by Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and a high-level delegation, as Islamabad seeks to reinforce its strategic partnership with Riyadh amid escalating tensions across West Asia and the Gulf region.Sharif was received at King Abdulaziz International Airport by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, along with other senior Saudi officials.The delegation includes Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who concluded a visit to Jordan earlier this week, is expected to join the delegation in Saudi Arabia.The visit comes as the conflict in West Asia has widened across multiple fronts, including the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, prompting Gulf states to strengthen regional security coordination and safeguard vital maritime routes and energy supply corridors.During the August 6 to 8 visit, Sharif is scheduled to meet Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO), the discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and coordinating on regional and international issues.“During the visit, the prime minister will meet Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman. Discussions would focus on consolidating the Pakistan-Saudi bilateral relationship and exchange views on areas of regional and international developments of mutual interests,” the FO said in a statement.The FO described the visit as a reflection of Pakistan’s long-standing partnership with Saudi Arabia, built on decades of mutual trust, cooperation and brotherhood.“Although taking place amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, the visit carries significance beyond the immediate crisis and short-term considerations. It will further strengthen bilateral relations, deepen strategic cooperation, enhance coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest and also reinforce multilateral cooperation,” the FO said.The trip follows Saudi Arabia’s proposal last week for a Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition aimed at protecting commercial shipping lanes and critical energy routes through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait after attacks on Saudi-linked vessels by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. Fourteen countries, including Pakistan, expressed support for the initiative.Islamabad also reiterated its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and emphasised the importance of ensuring the uninterrupted flow of lawful maritime commerce through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb.Pakistan and Saudi Arabia further strengthened their defence relationship last year by signing a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, which became operational earlier this year. Under the framework, Pakistan has deployed military personnel and aircraft to Saudi Arabia for joint training, defence cooperation and support for the kingdom’s security requirements.The visit also comes shortly after Pakistan said it was “doing its utmost” to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed on 18 June, highlighting Islamabad’s attempt to balance its close ties with Riyadh while maintaining communication channels with Tehran.Saudi Arabia remains a key financial partner for Pakistan. According to a provisional foreign economic assistance report by Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Riyadh extended a fresh USD 3 billion deposit facility and rolled over an existing USD 5 billion facility for another three years in the 2025-26 financial year, providing critical support to Pakistan’s economy.
